The author's lawyer says a contract bars the producers of a high-profile stage adaptation from departing "in any manner" from the spirit of the classic novel.

(Image credit: Universal/AP)

]]>Laurel WamsleyWhat Ever Happened To The Boozy Cake In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'?In Harper Lee's classic first novel, Scout Finch's neighbor is known for her Lane cakes. But it's now hard to find this Southern layered sponge cake filled with raisins and whiskey anywhere.Wed, 15 Jul 2015 13:28:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/07/15/422896049/what-ever-happened-to-the-boozy-cake-in-to-kill-a-mockingbird?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/07/15/422896049/what-ever-happened-to-the-boozy-cake-in-to-kill-a-mockingbird?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird

In Harper Lee's classic first novel, Scout Finch's neighbor is known for her Lane cakes. But it's now hard to find this Southern layered sponge cake filled with raisins and whiskey anywhere.

(Image credit: Nadia Chaudhury for NPR)

]]>Meredith BethuneThe Meaning Of A Hero Cast In Shadow, In Harper Lee's 'Go Set A Watchman'The release of Harper Lee's long-lost novel — and its portrait of once-crusading attorney Atticus Finch — has shaken devotees of "To Kill a Mockingbird." One poet argues that nuance should be welcome.Tue, 14 Jul 2015 05:01:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2015/07/14/422800617/the-meaning-of-a-hero-cast-in-shadow-in-harper-lees-go-set-a-watchman?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird
https://www.npr.org/2015/07/14/422800617/the-meaning-of-a-hero-cast-in-shadow-in-harper-lees-go-set-a-watchman?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbirdThe release of Harper Lee's long-lost novel — and its portrait of once-crusading attorney Atticus Finch — has shaken devotees of "To Kill a Mockingbird." One poet argues that nuance should be welcome.]]>In Harper Lee's Return, First Chapter Swings From Homecoming To HeartbreakThe opening chapter of <em>Go Set A Watchman,</em> Lee's first novel in 55 years, is out. Reactions ran from joy to shock — as readers coped with a plot twist and lingering doubts on the timing of its release.Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:22:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/10/421736413/in-harper-lees-return-first-chapter-swings-from-homecoming-to-heartbreak?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/10/421736413/in-harper-lees-return-first-chapter-swings-from-homecoming-to-heartbreak?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird

The opening chapter of Go Set A Watchman, Lee's first novel in 55 years, is out. Reactions ran from joy to shock — as readers coped with a plot twist and lingering doubts on the timing of its release.

(Image credit: Courtesy of HarperCollins)

]]>Colin DwyerA Town Divided Over The Next Chapter Of An Iconic Harper Lee BookThere's plenty of speculation about whether the octogenarian author really intended to release the manuscript, discovered by her lawyer last year.Mon, 04 May 2015 05:04:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/2015/05/04/403364020/a-town-divided-over-the-next-chapter-of-an-iconic-harper-lee-book?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird
https://www.npr.org/2015/05/04/403364020/a-town-divided-over-the-next-chapter-of-an-iconic-harper-lee-book?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird

There's plenty of speculation about whether the octogenarian author really intended to release the manuscript, discovered by her lawyer last year.

(Image credit: Debbie Elliott/NPR)

]]>Debbie ElliottHarper Lee Plans To Publish A New Novel Featuring 'Mockingbird' HeroMore than 50 years after the release of her classic — and only — novel, <em>To Kill a Mockingbird</em>, Lee plans to publish a second. The newly unearthed book, <em>Go Set a Watchman</em>, will be published in July.Tue, 03 Feb 2015 11:50:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/02/03/383524982/harper-lee-plans-to-publish-a-new-novel-featuring-mockingbird-hero?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/02/03/383524982/harper-lee-plans-to-publish-a-new-novel-featuring-mockingbird-hero?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird

More than 50 years after the release of her classic — and only — novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee plans to publish a second. The newly unearthed book, Go Set a Watchman, will be published in July.

Also: Historian Niall Ferguson apologizes for John Maynard Keynes comments; the best books coming out this week.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

]]>Annalisa QuinnLet's Not Kill ALL The LawyersAtticus Finch, the most ethical lawyer in fiction. But maybe that's not saying much?Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:00:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/talk/2010/07/08/128387579/let-s-not-kill-all-the-lawyers?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbird
https://www.npr.org/sections/talk/2010/07/08/128387579/let-s-not-kill-all-the-lawyers?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=tokillamockingbirdAtticus Finch, the most ethical lawyer in fiction. But maybe that's not saying much?